Holi brings a time of fun-filled celebrations with traditional sweets, thandai, foot-tapping music and vibrant colours. As you celebrate the victory of good over evil with a rainbow of aabir, it’s also time to get your favourite festive sweets, because no Indian festival feels complete without buying your favourite mithai from that favourite city shop.
My Kolkata brings you a list of Holi-special sweet treats from shops in different pockets of Kolkata that are famous for their signature offerings…
Chhappan Bhog
Located at 28 Shakespeare Sarani, Chhappan Bhog prides itself in having introduced Thandai Bati (Rs 60), Rose Laddoo (Rs 40), while also selling the mithai synonymous with Holi — gujiya.
From outside to in — ‘gujiya’, Rose Laddoo and Thandai Bati
Suvendu DasThandai Bati is a sandesh with a hole in the centre filled with the spirit of Holi, thandai. “This is an off-the-shelf item which takes a quick 15 minutes to prepare. On the other side, Rose Laddoo has its own share of loyalists, who love a bite of its crunchy rosy notes,” says Raghav Saraf, fourth generation owner of Chhappan Bhog, the 1981-established brand named after the prasad of ‘56’ or ‘chhapan’ food items offered to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami.
Tewari Brothers
Started by Banwarilal Tewari in 1948, Tewari Brothers is a household name in Kolkata, with branches in Alipore, New Alipore, Kankurgachi, Burrabazar and AJC Bose Road. The brand claims to be preservative-free, while maintaining traditional standards.
The ‘Tewari Bestseller’ during the Festival of Colours is gujiya, priced at Rs 30. “Maida, filling masala, mawa, kishmish, and elaichi goes into making gujiya, a heavy-to-the-belly sweet dish, popular in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh,” shares the store manager of the AJC Bose Road outlet.
Ralli’s
Ralli’s, established in 1898 by Ralli Singh, is an institution by itself. While Ralli’s list of thandai is endless, there’s another fan favourite drink to quench your thirst — Rose Sharbat. You’ll find their brick and mortar store in Burrabazar (172 MG Road) filled with people searching for their favourite ‘Indian cold drink’ till 10pm.
As people gear up for Holi, the store manager says, “Rose Sharbat is similar to the notion of love in a heartbeat.” This refreshing drink is a popular choice amongst passersby that go around adding life to Kolkata streets on Holi. It costs Rs 50 per glass.
Gokul
A stone’s throw away from Shri Shikshayatan School at 1 Lord Sinha Road, Gokul is known to create varying Holi platters for gifting family and friends. “One of our best-selling platters consists of Cham Cham, Gujiya, Matar Kachori, Ravioli Baked, Rose Delight, Gulab Jamun, Aloo Lachha, and Thandai,” says Lankesh Sharma, a staff member at Gokul Sweets.
This all-for-one platter goes a long way in fulfilling diverse palates at one go. “The prices are kept undisclosed, and can be known at the store as per your demand,” says Fazia Farhin, employee at Gokul Boutique, the upstairs level that caters to wedding clients.
Sailendra Nath Ghosh
Located at 164/A Muktaram Babu Street in north Kolkata, locals are known to throng this iconic sweet stop in the week before Holi to get their fresh share of Gur’er Rasgulla. This mouth-watering delight sells over 700 times on Holi and is available for Rs 7 & Rs 10.
Local customer Krishna Sharma says, “When the younger ones in our family touch the feet of elders on Holi, we offer them Ghosh babu’s famed rasgulla.”
Gangotri Sweets & Snacks
Rasmalai from Gangotri Sweets & Snacks makes its rounds in the upscale south Kolkata neighbourhood of Ballygunge during the week closing in on Holi. “We sell over 100 pieces of rasmalai, made out of chhena, milk, badam and pista every day,” says Anil Upadhyay, co-owner of the Gangotri store. This spongy Holi sweet will cost you Rs 30 at their store opposite Birla Mandir.
